Source: IE
Context: The International Centre for Audit of Local Governance (iCAL) was inaugurated by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.
- iCAL, the first of its kind in India, aims to set global standards for auditing local governance bodies.
Objectives and Functions of iCAL:
- Collaborative Platform: iCAL will bring together policymakers, administrators, and auditors associated with local governments to enhance auditing practices and capacity building.
- Global Standards: The centre aims to set international benchmarks for local governance audits, improving financial performance assessment, service delivery, and data reporting.
- Empowerment and Training: iCAL’s primary goal is to empower auditors, executives, and elected representatives of local governments through training and leadership development.
- Knowledge Hub: The centre will function as a knowledge hub and think tank, addressing governance issues through workshops, knowledge-sharing sessions, and peer exchanges.
Need for iCAL:
- Increased Funding: With significant funds flowing to local bodies, proper auditing is essential to ensure efficient utilization.
- Global Practices: The CAG highlighted the need to adopt global best practices in local government auditing, noting that 40 countries have supreme audit institutions (SAIs) for this purpose.
- Capacity Building: Building the capacity of auditors and local government employees is essential to improve financial management practices and internal controls.
- iCAL will facilitate open communication, data accessibility, and cooperation in addressing audit findings.
- By establishing iCAL, the CAG aims to foster cooperation, enhance auditing standards, and improve financial accountability at the local government level in India.
